DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University football team practiced in full pads for the first time in this fall’s preseason camp Monday morning at Huskie Stadium, with both the offense and defense making plays.
Head Coach Thomas Hammock came away from NIU’s fifth practice of preseason camp impressed with the front four on defense.
“We have a tremendous defensive line,” Hammock said. “We were able to re-stock and reload that position. The guys are playing at a high level, and that’s where the game is won in the trenches. Our offense responded in a very positive way as practice went along.”
Monday’s team periods centered on situational football. The running game broke off some long runs in a third down period, with Telly Johnson Jr. and Jaylen Poe getting past the chains for first downs. The defense did get in the backfield as safety Trey Porter (Ankeny, Iowa/Centennial) and defensive tackle Reggie Jean had tackles for loss. Defensive ends Roy Williams and Jalonnie Williams also had quarterback sacks in Monday’s practice.
“I thought the run game looked really sharp in the first four practices,” said Hammock. “Today was the first day the defensive line effected the flow of the running game. The defense has pride and they made some adjustments and our line really played with tremendous energy and effort.”
The NIU offense did hit some big plays in the passing game, which included a 70-yard touchdown pass from Josh Holst and Gary Givens. Jalen Macon found Kenji Lewis down the sideline for a long play as well.
“We practiced some third-and-long situations that are shifted somewhat to the defense, but I liked some of the plays our offense was able to make,” said Hammock. “Then we did some short yardage, which should be more predicated to our offense, and the defensive line got some good penetration and changed the line of scrimmage.”
The Huskies are back on the practice field Tuesday morning before another full pads practice Wednesday night.
NIU opens up the season on Saturday, August 30th with a home game against Holy Cross.
August 4, 2025